OUR STORY
PROJECT NADIYA US grew from the early actions of Nadya Tkachenko, who undertook refugee relief missions to Poland shortly after the invasion of Ukraine.
Border crossing at Medyka, Poland
Rescue team of drivers from Chernigiv
Delivering hot food to refugees
Shortly after the invasion began Nadya raised $80,000 through crowdfunding and traveled from the US to the Poland / Ukraine border to assist refugees with cash stipends and temporary housing.
Meeting hundreds of desperate mothers, grandmothers and children who had no place to go and continuing to support them several weeks into the war Nadya recognized that the growing humanitarian crisis needed longer-term and more comprehensive solutions, including longer-term housing and employment assistance. This is what gave birth to Project Nadiya and what lies at the core of our mission.
As the conflict continues into its third year, millions of people have fled the country, and an increasing number of people are internally displaced within Ukraine. This puts an enormous strain both on the hosting communities and on the displaced persons who are living in challenging, crowded conditions, not suitable for the long term.
A family from Slavyansk. Baby born soon after crossing the border into Poland.
One of 10+ Roma families from Donetsk receiving a cash stipend.
A large family from near Chernobyl. Their rent in this hostel is running out in May.
Most of the refugees that Nadya helped during her humanitarian mission have no safe homes to go back to in Ukraine, and nowhere to live. There are hundreds of thousands of families that are forced to rebuild their lives away from home, and they need our support now!
To raise additional funds and make a greater impact through dignified, medium-term housing and social support, Nadya founded Project NADIYA (U.S.), a U.S.-based charitable foundation dedicated to fundraising and donor engagement. On-the-ground implementation has been carried out independently by local partner organizations in Ukraine, including the Charitable Foundation “Project Nadiya CF CO” for housing and community support, and Children of Heroes for psychological support services.
Looking ahead to 2026
Project NADIYA (U.S.) will be changing shape in 2026.
As a formal charitable foundation, Project NADIYA (U.S.) will be closing its operations.
The founders plan to continue supporting Ukraine and its children through personal fundraising efforts and partnerships with trusted organizations they have built relationships with on the ground, rather than operating as a U.S.-based nonprofit.
The founders’ mission remains the same—to provide healing, support, and hope to families affected by the war—and we are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported this work over the past four years.